MIAMI (AP) -
Tropical Storm Patty has strengthened in the Atlantic east of the Bahamas, but forecasters expect the storm to be short-lived.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami named the storm Thursday afternoon.
LINK: Track Patty on MyFoxHurricane.com
Patty's center was about 260 miles northeast of the central Bahamas and it was stationary. Its maximum sustained winds were 45 mph.
Forecasters say the storm could begin moving slowly to the southwest Friday night. Some gradual weakening is likely to begin on Saturday.
No coastal watches or warnings were in effect.
